In a strong display of diplomatic solidarity, South Africa has reaffirmed its support for India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism during a visit by an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation to Johannesburg. The visit comes in the wake of India’s decisive counterterrorism response, Operation Sindoor, launched after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.
Leading the delegation, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule described the engagements with South African leaders as “very meaningful and productive,” emphasizing the shared legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela in fighting injustice through peaceful means.
“South Africa is committed to supporting India in its zero-tolerance policy against terror. Both our countries have endured struggles for independence, marked by immense sacrifice. The spirit of Gandhi and Mandela unites us in this fight against terrorism,” Sule told ANI.
The bipartisan delegation featured MPs from across the political spectrum, including Anurag Thakur (BJP), Manish Tewari (Congress), Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Anand Sharma, V. Muraleedharan, and Syed Akbaruddin.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur underlined India’s non-aggressive history and the need for global awareness about cross-border terrorism. “India has never attacked or encroached upon another country. Yet, we’ve faced repeated terror attacks from Pakistan, costing thousands of innocent lives. South Africa acknowledges terrorism as a global menace and stands with us,” Thakur said.
Congress leader Manish Tewari took a sharper tone, calling Pakistan a “rogue state” that continues to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy. He stressed the importance of isolating such nations on the global stage.
“The African National Congress expressed understanding and solidarity. We conveyed the urgency of isolating any state that endorses terrorism. This isn’t just about India—Pakistan has long been destabilizing Afghanistan and Iran as well,” Tewari stated.
The delegation also paid homage to the shared heritage of resistance and peace by visiting Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, where Mahatma Gandhi was once imprisoned. They viewed the Mandela-Gandhi Exhibition and offered floral tributes at Gandhi’s statue.
The diplomatic outreach follows the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran valley that left 26 people, including a Nepalese national, dead. India responded on May 7 with Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist camps operated by groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The delegation’s visit underscores India’s strategy of strengthening international alliances in its battle against terrorism, drawing moral and political support from global partners like South Africa.
